Cooking with firm tofu

Tofu! So many people I meet tell me how either they’ve never had it or just how awful it is. Once we get to chatting, it comes out that they just don’t really know HOW to cook with it. SO, though I am no chef, I cook with tofu several times a week and since I have learned HOW to make it, I really have come to enjoy it. My kids love it and ask for it so that says something. Here is a really quick low down on HOW I cook with firm tofu (FIRM is the way to go if you’re using it as a meat substitute).

I cannot stress this enough, PRESS YOUR TOFU! So, this is a little doozy that I use ALL the time and I LOVE. It works for me while I work to do other things. It is a huge time saver and easy to use. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tofuture+tofu+press&crid=1KNWF4D4JOYNN&sprefix=tofuture+tofu+pre%2Caps%2C588&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-o-p_1_17 I do not make any money off of this thing, I just love it and it works! I press mine for about thirty min. I flip it over halfway through and make sure to get rid of the water as you flip it. You’ll be amazed at the difference and how much water comes out of that little block. Once its done, take it out, cut it as you choose (I like the little cubes or triangles b/c everything has to be kid size for my house lol)

My method of choice for cooking it is definitely the air fryer. If you want to, you can spray a little oil on the tofu but you don’t need a lot. I will usually cook the tofu in the air fryer and THEN add it to the rest of the recipe. You can marinate it first and then air fry it, whatever your choice. I cook mine until it has a nice, lightly crispy outside and the inside still has a softer texture. It’s usually about 5 min at 400, shake it around and do a second round at the same. You can do tofu recipes that are breaded in the air fryer as well. I did one the other week and to be honest I liked it better without the breading. It is totally personal preference but if you’re looking to eat healthier, you can get a nice “deep fried” type skin on your tofu from the air fryer and it’s very satisfying, yet healthy. 🙂

Hope this answers some questions and I hope you’ll take the leap to trying tofu! There are other types of tofu such as silken or extra firm. Silken is more for sauces or something you’re going to blend up into another texture. Extra firm is also acceptable and will have a little less liquid to press out than the firm. I personally like the firm over the Extra just bc of the density of it but honestly they’re both acceptable as a main dish, meat substitute, etc. Happy cooking and have fun with your new adventure!! – Bananapants